Multiple Choice
In the context of erythrocytes and hemoglobin, which blood component is primarily responsible for the red color of blood?
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17. The Blood
Erythrocytes: Hemoglobin
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In human blood, how is oxygen most often carried to body tissues?
A
Dissolved directly in blood plasma as free
B
Chemically bound to plasma albumin proteins
C
Bound to hemoglobin within erythrocytes as oxyhemoglobin
D
Converted to bicarbonate ions () in plasma
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand that oxygen transport in human blood occurs primarily in two forms: dissolved in plasma and bound to hemoglobin within red blood cells (erythrocytes).
Recognize that the amount of oxygen dissolved directly in plasma is very small because oxygen is not very soluble in blood plasma.
Recall that hemoglobin is a protein in erythrocytes specifically designed to bind oxygen molecules efficiently, forming oxyhemoglobin.
Note that oxygen is not chemically bound to plasma albumin proteins; albumin mainly transports other substances like fatty acids.
Understand that while carbon dioxide is converted to bicarbonate ions (H\_3CO\_2\^-) in plasma for transport, oxygen is primarily carried bound to hemoglobin, not as bicarbonate.
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